Courtney Ashbee, Voice, Piano, Guitar
Mrs. Courtney Ashbee began her musical journey at a young age where she first learned to play piano at the age of 12 and guitar at age 15. While originally pursuing Music Education at College of the Ozarks, she studied classical voice, worship ministry, piano, and even some jazz guitar before eventually pivoting to a different major. She has been an active member of the worship team at Eagle Creek Church since 2017, and it has been one of her greatest joys. She hopes her broad range of experiences will help support her students as they discover and grow their own unique musical abilities. Recently, she has been feeling called back to her musical roots and is so excited to be joining SCA as part of the Virtuosity! Program. She lives in Lees Summit with her husband, Brandon, and their three children- Luke, Lyla, and Lizzie.

Pam Block, Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Harp, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn (euphonium), and Voice
Mrs. Block is a versatile musician and arranger/composer. She has been a church musician (piano/organ/worship/choir director) for many years, starting as church organist at age 12. She has taught private piano for 50 years and also teaches harp, voice, and several band instruments. She recently retired from public school education where she taught music, choir, and band for many years. Mrs. Block studied vocal performance, piano, saxophone, and arranging/composing at Olivet Nazarene University and MidAmerica Nazarene University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music. She continued her education with master's classes in voice and education. For several years, Mrs. Block traveled on weekends, performing original songs and hymn arrangements in worship concerts at churches across the country. She has two CDs of piano, harp and vocal music, and provides harp, piano, organ or vocal music for special occasions. Mrs. Block is certified in harp therapy, which she uses in hospitals and nursing homes. She currently is the organist at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, sings in the choir, and plays in the church orchestra. Outside of music, Mrs. Block enjoys reading, hiking, zip-lining, yard work, and spending time with her three adult children.

Claira Brue, Piano 
Claira Brue has been playing piano since the age of seven. She has always enjoyed music and had a passion for developing her skills to serve and teach others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dordt University in K-12 choral/instrumental music education and a minor in music performance. During her time in college, she participated in flute, voice, and piano lessons, with a culminating piano recital in her senior year. She also served as the accompanist for the concert choir and many vocal students. She moved to Minnesota after college and taught elementary music for three years at Heritage Christian Academy before moving back to Kansas City in 2025. She has been a substitute teacher at SCA since moving in 2025 and has enjoyed getting to know the students, staff, and school community. She taught private piano lessons during her time in Minnesota and is eager to begin teaching again! Claira and her husband also serve together as the worship leaders of their church, New City Church KC. 

Dr. Sharon How Guthrie, Piano
Born in Singapore, Dr. Sharon How Guthrie began studying piano at the age of eight. Her passion for music inspired her to pursue it as her major, despite being encouraged by many around her to consider more lucrative career paths. Sharon holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Houston and a Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland. At both institutions, she was awarded competitive scholarships and teaching assistantships in recognition of her academic and musical excellence. In addition to her work as a pianist, she is currently training as a mezzo-soprano and serves as an accompanist for choirs throughout the Kansas City area.

Natalie Meyer, Worship Teams
Mrs. Meyer is thrilled to be part of the Virtuosity! program. She and her husband are blessed with four children, two of whom currently attend SCA. She brings over 20 years of experience in teaching piano, and holds two associate degrees. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Mrs. Meyer was a worship leader at Campus Bible Church in California and oversaw over 30 different band members. In 2020, she graduated from the California Psalmist Mission cohort, a distinguished program that provides comprehensive training in various aspects of music including instrumental and vocal technique, music theory, sight reading, and ear training, along with production and performance skills. Additionally, she completed the Ministry Leadership Certificate Program through Venture Church Network at Western Seminary in 2021. In 2022, she relocated to Missouri from California to be closer to family following her husband's diagnosis of leukemia in 2021. By the grace of God, he is now in remission and doing well. God has been so good and her family is blessed to be a part of SCA.

John Nielsen, Piano
For John, becoming a teacher was almost inevitable. His parents met in music school - Dad became a high school band director, Mom taught lessons from their home. John remembers constantly being at the piano, playing whatever music he could get his hands on. That love of music and learning has shaped much of his life and calling. John attended the University of Minnesota where he played trombone in the Wind Ensemble and jazz band. He was a touring musician, did session work, and served as a worship leader for 15 years while living in Minnesota. He believes that his calling is to train worship leaders and musicians to serve God and others. For beginner students, John uses the Simply Music curriculum, a playing-based approach to the piano that emphasizes making music enjoyable and accessible. Lessons cover a variety of genres, including classical, contemporary, and worship music, allowing students to explore their musical interests fully. With over 30 years of teaching experience, John's passion lies in mentoring aspiring musicians and worship leaders, helping them to develop both their musical skills and personal artistry. John currently has a studio with over 40 students, teaching in both Overland Park and South Kansas City.

Joy Parke, Piano
Music has been a part of Mrs. Parke’s life for as long as she can remember. She learned to play piano, violin, and flute as a child and was involved in school band, choir, and high school musicals. She studied piano and voice in college and completed her bachelor's degree in music education. In the spring of 2022, Mrs. Parke completed a master of arts in music with a piano pedagogy (teaching) focus from the University of Central Missouri. She has taught private piano lessons for approximately 20 years. Mrs. Parke is thankful for the opportunity to teach piano at SCA. It is a joy for her to work one-on-one with the students and to see their progress in piano as well as their growth as individuals. She has been married to Phil Parke for 36 years, and they have three sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law and six grandchildren. Mrs. Parke also sings and plays piano on the worship team at her church, KC First Church of the Nazarene, and assists her husband Phil with the church’s teen Bible quizzing program.

Dave Sager, Percussion and Drum Set
Mr. Sager is a Kansas City native and has been playing drums since the fifth grade. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Performance, both from the UMKC Conservatory of Music. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, St. Joseph Symphony, Lee’s Summit Symphony, Kansas City Wind Symphony, and the UMKC Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Sager is currently the principle timpanist for the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. He is on the Board of Directors and past-president of the Mid-America Music Association. Mr. Sager also maintains a private studio and performs in local professional groups. He has been teaching for 30+ years and enjoys inspiring percussionists of all ages.

Dr. Stephen Scheperle, Guitar
Dr. Scheperle is from Jefferson City, Missouri, and came to SCA in 2021. He teaches 11th grade Bible and serves as the Bible Department Chair and the SCA Chapel Coordinator. He has a minor in church music and has served as the staff pastor over worship at two churches. He formally studied guitar as part of his church music minor, has been playing for nearly thirty years, and has enjoyed teaching lessons to students of various ages and abilities. He especially values helping students who aspire to use their growing guitar skills in church worship.

Dr. Greg Turner, Voice and Piano
Dr. Turner is currently an orchestra teacher in the Ray-Pec schools. He has a D.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music/English from Ball State University and a B.A. in Music/English Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. He began his career teaching junior high (7-9) music and English at Santa Barbara Christian School (CA). Since then, he has taught music in public schools in Nebraska and Wisconsin, and most recently SCA. He was the division chair for humanities and fine arts at Fort Scott Community College (KS), teaching music and English. He is the music director (choir director and organist) at First Presbyterian Fort Scott (KS). He and his wife Emily have been married 51 years, and they have four daughters and nine grandchildren.

Angela Yang, Viola, Violin, Piano
Angela grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to the United States in August 2008 to attend UMKC (University of Missouri, Kansas City). She started piano when she was four years old, and she minored in piano during college. She earned her Master’s degree in Viola Performance in 2012. She has been a part of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City community since 2008. In 2012, she finished Forerunner Music Academy, with a major in Worship, and she now serves as a worship leader in the House of Prayer. She has taught violin, viola, piano, and ensemble music over the years. She and her husband live in south KC with their two young children. Angela has a passion to restore true worship in many nations. She’s honored to be a part of the Virtuosity! program in SCA. She believes that music is a great tool to bring many close to God’s heart. She thinks that string instruments can pull the heartstrings of God and bring healing to many with a heart of worship. She desires to encourage and invite many into a deeper relationship with Jesus through music.

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